Massachusetts weather: Unseasonably cool temps, strong winds, rain forecast

Summer may have started this week, but the weather in the coming days may call for a sweatshirt, raincoat and hat.

Following a series of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in Massachusetts on Friday, unseasonably cool weather, strong winds and more showers are forecast in the commonwealth this weekend and early next week, with daytime temperatures Saturday and Sunday expected to average up to 20 degrees below normal in eastern New England, according to the National Weather Service.

Rainfall started to develop over the eastern waters of the commonwealth early Saturday. Showers are likely going to move onshore later in the day, developing and moving across northern and eastern parts of the state in the morning and continuing in Eastern Massachusetts through the afternoon, the Weather Service said.

An unseasonably cool airmass should bring much colder weather to Massachusetts than what was seen earlier this week. In eastern New England, highs will likely peak in the morning Saturday before dropping into the lower 50s in the afternoon and possibly the upper 40s in the evening, according to the Weather Service.

"Some locations in eastern MA this afternoon may be up to 40 degrees colder than Friday," the Weather Service said. "Milder in the CT valley with highs lower 60s."

Highs Saturday are expected to reach only around 56 degrees in Hyannis on Cape Cod, 55 degrees in Boston and Worcester and 62 degrees in Springfield, according to the Weather Service.

Today will feel more like early spring then early summer with highs in the mid-50s for most. Mostly cloudy skies today with blustery NE winds and scattered showers mainly for Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. #MAWX #CTWX #RIWX pic.twitter.com/Kuz95Xb9uI

The cool temperatures will be accompanied by gusty northeast winds, especially along the coast. Gusts are expected to reach 25 to 35 miles per hour near the shore, adding to the chill. Elsewhere, gusts should reach 15 to 25 mph, the Weather Service said.

A high surf advisory issued by the Weather Service will remain in effect until 8 p.m. Sunday. Large breaking waves of 5 to 8 feet are expected in surf zones across the eastern shore of the state, causing dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and beach erosion. Meteorologists are also warning of potential coastal flooding in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways.

As of 10 am, ferries running to Martha's Vineyard & Nantucket reported 4-5 ft seas & NE winds 30-35 kt.

"Obviously a very poor beach day, but dangerous conditions for anyone observing the rough surf from jetties given large breaking waves onto rocks and other nearshore structures," the Weather Service noted.

A period of more widespread rainfall is likely across Eastern Massachusetts on Sunday. There is some uncertainty in regard to how far west the showers will extend, but it appears at least some of the precipitation will move further west across parts of Massachusetts and eastern Connecticut. The best chance for mainly dry weather should be from the Pioneer Valley westward, according to the Weather Service.

Prolonged risk for showers across southern New England this weekend, but should not be raining this entire time. Greatest risk for showers will be overnight, and again Sunday afternoon and evening. pic.twitter.com/nHrouNWWme

Another chilly day is forecast Sunday across southern New England, with highs expected to reach the lower 50s in Central and Eastern Massachusetts. However, temperatures may even struggle to get to 50 degrees in some locations, and it is possible some record low maximum temperatures will be set, the Weather Service said.

Highs Sunday are expected to reach only around 55 degrees in Hyannis, 54 degrees in Boston and Worcester and 61 degrees in Springfield, according to the Weather Service.

A repeated surge of gusty northerly winds is forecast Sunday, leading gusts to reach 25 to 35 mph near the coast and 15 to 25 mph further inland, the Weather Service said.

"The combination of rain, cold temps and wind will make for a nasty day in eastern New [England]," the Weather Service noted. "High surf advisories will likely be extended into Sunday as high seas and rough surf will continue."

Unsettled weather may linger into early next week, though a drying trend and moderate temperatures are possible by the middle or end of the week, according to the Weather Service.

Highs should remain well below normal Monday, with temperatures expected to climb into the 60s in eastern parts of the state and the 70s in the west. The best chance for showers Monday is along the eastern coast of Massachusetts, the Weather Service said.

Highs Monday are expected to reach only around 61 degrees in Hyannis, 62 degrees in Boston, 67 degrees in Worcester and 73 degrees in Springfield, according to the Weather Service.

The forecast is subject to significant change more than 72 hours out.

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